The Irish standard., 1887-07-30

Where is the sick woman?' asked the
priest as he crossed the threshold.
Sally Cavanagh pointed to her mother
in.law in mute amazement. II the old
lady was at that moment flying up the
chimney, mounted upon the broom, her
daughter-in-law's establishment could
scarcely be greater. The priest looked
'angrily at poor Sally, who kept her eyes
steadily fixed upon the old woman all
the time, and was hastily striding out
of the house, when she flung herself on
her knees before him.
NO matter, sir she said what l told
you is the truth
Are you ill, ma'am?' he inquired of
the old woman.
'O-ya-wisha! no, your reverence was
her reply; but that poor fo0l'd think I'D
be goin' to be off if on'y blast o. wind
got at me-
YOU'RE very bold woman,' ex-
claimed Father O'Gorman, turning to
Sally, and losing all patience. The fact
was, old Mrs. Shea was occupied in
'mashing' aroasted potato upon a plate,
while a print of butter on smaller
plate showed the priest that she was
engaged in making 'pandy,' with view
to breakfast. Sally Cavanagh drew her
breath hard, and clenched her teeth
like one preparing for some desperate
struggle. Steadily, and almost noise
lessly, she closed the door. locked it, and
put the key in her pocket. But when
she turned round and confronted the
justly offended clergyman, he saw by
the death-like paleness of her face, how
much the daring act had cost her.
If you saw her awhile ago, SIR she
said, you'd believe me-
The intense earnestness of her voice,
and the imploring anguish Of her look,
subdued the good priest and led him
captive again. On looking more closely
at the old woman, he saw how really
feeble she was. .......
sWell,' said he, get her into her bed.
and in the name OF God 1 will prepare
her.
Sally lifting the poor old woman in
her arm tenderly as if she were an in
fant, carried her to her room, and placed
her in bed.
Sally said Mrs. Shea, throwing her
withered arms round her daughter-in-
laws neck, L think, after all, am
going. God'swill be done! Send Father
O'Gorman in now; and my blessing,
and the blessing of Heaven, be with
you, Sally, a vourneen-machree.'
While the priest was administering
the last rites of the Church to the old
woman, Sally returned to the kitchen
and remained upon her knees praying.
She hurried into the room the moment
the priest came out.
How do you feel now, mother"
There was no reply.
She looked closely into her worn fea-
lures, placed her hand over the open
mouth, and. as if obeying some sudden
impulse, hurried out and laid her hand
upon the priests arm. He was trying
to open the door which she had locked,
and the good man appeared quite be-
Wildered, not to say frightened, at the
idea that she was again going to makea
prisoner of him.
She's dead, sir!'
sWhat!-dead?' exclaimed the priest,
in astonishmert. He hastened to the
bedside of the old woman, and saw that
she had indeed gone to better world,
apparently the very moment after he
had administered the last sacrament to
her. 1t was now Father O'Gorman's
turn to be agitatcd, while Sally was
quite calm and collected. He stared at
her for moment, as if she were some
thing supernatural, and then holding
her by both hands, he said, with visible
emotion, You are a good woman; may
God bless you.'
She heard her husbands step ap
preaching the house, and hastened out
to meet him. There was something
wonderfully expressive in Sally Cava-
naghs features. They reflected herl